English: Name: Ernest Frost

Arrested for: not given
Arrested at: North Shields Police Station
Arrested on: 27 August 1905
Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-75-Ernest Frost
The Shields Daily News for 29 August reports 1905 reports:
“SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST A SHIP’S STEWARD AT NORTH SHIELDS. STEALING AND SMUGGLING GOODS..
At North Shields Police Court today Ernest Frost (39), a steward, belonging to Germany, was charged with landing from the screw steamer Astrakhan 7lbs of coffee and 10lbs of tea, while in the Albert Edward Dock on the 28th inst., with intent to avoid payment of duty on the same. He was further charged with having assaulted Wm. Joseph Smith and Joseph Phealen, customs officers.
Mr Hogg prosecuted on behalf of the Customs. Wm. Joseph Smith, preventive officer for the customs, said that on the night in question he was on patrol duty at the Albert Edward Dock when he observed two men with a cart, accompanied by the defendant. Witness went up to the defendant and asked him if he had anything liable to duty on the cart. He replied in the negative and he then asked him to open the bags. There was nothing in the first bag, but in the second he found 10lbs of tea and 7lbs of coffee. He asked him if duty had been paid on these and he replied that there had not and that they were part of the ship’s stores. He then requested the defendant to take them back to the ship, and they were on their way back, when the defendant jumped off the cart and struck witness twice in the face, knocking him to the ground. While there he kicked witness on the thigh. Another officer came to his assistance and he was assaulted. The defendant was not drunk.
John Phealan, Customs officer, spoke to going to the last witness’s assistance, when the defendant struck witness on the forehead and kicked him on the shins. The accused said he was drunk and did not know what he was doing.
On the first charge he was ordered to pay single value and duty, £1 2s, and costs and fined 20s and costs or one month for each assault.
A further charge of stealing several article of food, value £3 4s 6d from the ss Astrakhan was also preferred against the accused. Supt. Jamieson, RTP, prosecuted. John Biddick, master of the Astrakhan, identified the articles produced as the property of his owners. He said the accused was engaged as steward on board the vessel and had charge of these articles. He was discharged on the 28th inst. on account of drunkenness during the voyage.
Mr Smith said that in another bag in the accused’s possession, he found several articles of food, which were concealed amongst his clothing. Sub-Inspector Leech said that when charged the defendant made no reply. Accused no stated that he was drunk and in such a nervous condition that he did not know what he was doing. He was committed to prison for two months".
These images are a selection from an album of photographs of prisoners brought before the North Shields Police Court between 1902 and 1916 in the collection of Tyne & Wear Archives (TWA ref DX1388/1).

Copyright) We're happy for you to share this digital image within the spirit of The Commons. Please cite 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' when reusing. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions and commercial use of the original physical version apply though; if you're unsure please email archives@twmuseums.org.uk.